"I see so many games. Between myself, (assistant coach) Ray Lewington and (coach) Gary Neville we cover so many games," he said.

"And all of the top teams I would've seen so many times between December and May. Every week I'm sort of weighing things up.

"In the two years of qualification since Euro 2012 and up to now we're seeing lots of players come through that do have a very optimistic approach – an approach where they believe in themselves and their talent."

But Hodgson warned there were only so many younger players he could take as he looks to find a balance in Brazil.

"When it comes to experience and youth, you have to be careful," he said.

"What you don't know in a tournament is when your injuries are going to come.

"So for example, if you take four to five very young players that you think the experience will do them really good.

"Then, all of a sudden, they have to play through the whole of the tournament because the people that you've taken for them to understudy suddenly get injured. You diminish your chances of doing well at a tournament. It's a very delicate balance."

England will face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in a tricky Group D at the World Cup.